The Los Angeles Lakers have to be pleased with the way Marcus Smart has quickly integrated himself with the team despite missing time in training camp and preseason.
Smart was the Lakers’ final free agent signing after being bought out by the Washington Wizards and he has immediately proven to be worth the investment as he’s given the team a competitive fire and edge on a nightly basis. For example, Smart was instrumental in Los Angeles’ comeback win against the San Antonio Spurs despite a miscue at the end of the game that the veteran took full responsibility for.
Head coach JJ Redick has done well to put his players in positions to succeed and Smart is thriving in his role as a vocal leader on the floor. LeBron James and Luka Doncic are the clear leaders, but another strong voice in Smart helps pull the locker room together.
Following the win against the Spurs, Doncic had more praise for Smart and what he’s meant to the Lakers.
“First of all, it’s the energy on the defensive end. He does some things I’ve never seen in my life, like how he dives for the ball or something else,” Doncic said. “But then on the other hand, it’s his leadership and his communication on defense. It’s been everything for us. I mean, he brings energy that I didn’t know. So, him being on my team, I mean, our team, it’s unbelievable.”
Defense has always been Smart’s calling card and the former Defensive Player of the Year has been a stabilizing force for Los Angeles. While he might not be as fast as he used to be, Smart is still strong and smart enough to hang with bigger guards and forwards. He’s also adept at taking charges and getting his hands in passing lanes for steals and deflections.
There are instances where Smart can be trigger happy offensively or do too much trying to make a play defensively, but Doncic and the team will live with those shortcomings given what he else he does.
Marcus Smart knows he doesn’t need to put up stats to make big impact for Lakers
Marcus Smart signed with the Lakers knowing that the offense would run through the team’s “Big 3” of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. However, Smart understands at this point of his career that he doesn’t need to put up big stats on either end of the floor to make a big impact for Los Angeles.
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